Vanuatu top group A

Olé Football Academy

 

Vanuatu notched their third straight victory at the OFC U-20 Championship on Saturday, a 1-0 win over New Caledonia which sees them top Group A and stay in Port Vila for the semi-finals.

Ronaldo Wilkins (10) scored the game’s only goal from the penalty spot
Image: OFC via Phototek

Vanuatu’s Ronaldo Wilkins had a penalty saved in first half injury time but New Caledonia’s goalkeeper Mickael Ulile had moved off his line early giving Wilkins the chance to convert the retake for the game’s only goal.

It now earns them a semi-final against Solomon Islands in Port Vila on Tuesday with the winner claiming a place in next year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Korea. New Caledonia also qualify for the semi-finals, travelling to Santo to challenge New Zealand for the other of Oceania’s two World Cup tickets.

Vanuatu’s perfect nine point haul sees them top a group at an OFC age-group championship for the first time and will allow them to prepare for Tuesday’s big match in the familiar surrounds of the Vanuatu Football Federation Academy.

“We’re happy to achieve the goal of winning the group and earning a semi-final in Port Vila,” said Vanuatu’s Technical Advisor Declan Edge.

“We’ll regroup tonight get some ice-baths in for the players. It was tough out here today. But we’ve haven’t conceded a goal again so we’re not bad.”

New Caledonia made a raft of changes for today’s match but it almost paid off in a tense encounter. With Fiji missing out on all three points New Caledonia were assured of their semi-final place before kick-off and had the freedom to attack in an effort to defeat the hosts and top the group themselves.

However New Caledonia coach Kemali Fitealeata was content despite the defeat.

“We’ve achieved our primary objective of reaching the semi-finals but we now face a short turnaround and a trip to play New Zealand.

“We lost the game today but I’m happy about the performance the players displayed this afternoon. Now our attention switches quickly to our preparations for New Zealand.”

For the full article, click here

For the official match summary, click here

Full match highlight below;

Log in with your credentials

Forgot your details?